Abstract: A direct contact water heater including a column having a plurality of heat exchange bodies disposed in the upper end thereof, water distributions means disposed above the heat exchange bodies for distributing water downwardly thereon, and heating means disposed in the lower end of the column, the heating means including a combustion chamber coupled to the column, one end of the combustion chamber being constructed and arranged to receive a burner and the other end being coupled to and communicating with the column beneath the heat exchange bodies, the sides of the combustion chamber flaring outwardly from the first end to the other end for receiving expanding combustion gasses passing into the column.

Abstract: A direct contact water heater comprises a cylindrical column having a plurality of heat exchange bodies disposed in the upper portion thereof, a spray nozzle disposed above the heat exchange bodies for discharging water thereon and a combustion chamber extending into the lower end of the column. A cooling jacket is mounted in surrounding relation to the combustion chamber and extends downwardly along the sides and around the bottom thereof. The cooling jacket is open at its upper end for receiving a portion of the water falling from the heat exchange bodies and has a discharge opening formed adjacent its upper periphery for discharging a portion of the collected water into a water tank below the column to effect circulation of the cooling water through the jacket.

Abstract: A direct contact water heater comprises a cylindrical column having a plurality of heat exchange bodies disposed in the upper portion thereof, a spraying device disposed above the heat exchange bodies for discharging water thereon, and a heating device disposed in the lower end of the column. The heating device comprises a burner oriented into the column and tangentially relative to the inner surface thereof. A shield extends across a portion of the column and above at least the initial path of the burner flame as it follows the contour of the column.